Lead by technology? We have been doing what they can do at Audi for a long time, they said to each other Jaguar, The British even give the Ingolstadt car manufacturers a lesson on the subject of lightweight construction. At 1.545 kilograms, the entry-level version of the new XF not only weighs around 190 kilos less than its predecessor launched in 2008, but is also about 80 kilograms lighter than a comparable Audi A6. This is made possible by a body that is made of 75 percent aluminum - so far unique in this business segment.
It is not the only technical highlight that Jaguar wants to set with its new XF generation. One also strives for the "Best in Class" position in terms of consumption. Here to win mainly companies and fleet operators as customers. You should drive on the newly developed diesel engine of the so-called Ingenium series. With it, the XF creates four liters in standard consumption and thus has a CO2 value of only 104 g / km. Neither Audi, BMW or Mercedes can achieve this - at least with no conventional model.
The XF is extremely agile to move, among other things, because the engineers donated him the front double wishbone suspension from the F-Type. Precise and crisp, the sedan goes through the curves, while remaining good-natured and easily manageable. Steering, suspension and damping are sporty, but not too tightly tuned. It's fun to move the XF quickly. On request, the adaptive suspension control from the F-Type is available. It allows different modes.
Also with regard to noise, the British business sedan drives at a high level. Together with a generous amount of space - front and back - guests travel extremely cultured and relaxed. No wonder at almost three meters wheelbase. Jaguar speaks of the best space in the class. And for the luggage also remains plenty of air. 540 liters are more than the values of the competition. If you flip the rear seat backs, you can even store up to 885 liters of luggage.
In the cockpit, Jaguar drivers feel right at home. On the center console still enthroned the typical knob for the automatic, the pulsating red starter button waits for the pressure of the index finger and only after switching on the ignition open as usual the ventilation nozzles left and right in the dashboard. Workmanship, finishes and choice of materials reach premium levels and give no cause for criticism. You feel comfortable in this car.
Modern times attract with both the laser-driven head-up display in the windshield, as well as the huge central display (10,2 inch touch screen). With "InControl Touch Pro" (surcharge), the inmates keep in touch with the outside world. The display can be controlled and zoomed like an iPad with your fingers. In the cockpit itself, Jaguar optionally relies on a freely configurable TFT display, which allows various representations, depending on what the driver just seems important, such as the tachometer, the analog clock, the lap time on the racetrack or a full-surface map.
We were able to drive the most important engine for Germany, the 180 PS strong Ingenium diesel. The two-liter engine develops considerable 430 Newton meters of torque, and already at 1.750 RPM. Clear that with this "Kellerkraft" of the XF cheerfully hung on the gas and accelerated sovereign. But even more surprising is the sound of the four-cylinder. A typical diesel-nailing is not heard. The diesel sounds like an Otto and gets quieter with increasing speed. Who stands on six-cylinder, the Jaguar offers the XF with a three-liter diesel (300 PS) and a three-liter gasoline engine (340 or 380 PS) adequate propulsion.
People who know the XF so far only by driving past, should hardly perceive the new as such. "Evolution is wanted," says chief designer Ian Callum. Compared to the first generation, the new XF was minimally shorter and flatter, but grew significantly in the wheelbase (plus 5 cm), which gives him in conjunction with his coupe-like silhouette the sportiest appearance in its class.
Pricing starts Jaguar's new business sedan at 41.500 Euro (163 diesel-PS). This is 4400 Euro cheaper than its predecessor, but had 200 PS as a minimum. Significantly more expensive are the strong gasoline. In the case of the three-liter V6 with 340 PS, this is almost 10.000 Euro. Jaguar defended this, however, with a significantly raised standard equipment. In addition, for all XF models, a kind of flat rate at the service, called "Jaguar Care". For the first three years, all inspections are free of charge, no matter how many kilometers you've raced in the meantime.
Author: Michael Specht / SP-X